March 1, 2013

MARQUETTE - It was not a night to remember for the Marquette Senior High School hockey team.

Giving up four first period goals, the Redmen lost an 8-0 decision to Escanaba Thursday in an MHSAA Division 2 pre-regional final at Marquette's Lakeview Arena.

The Eskymos (24-3) will now meet Saginaw Heritage Saturday in Gaylord in a regional final.

Article Photos

Marquette’s Tyler Jackson, left, and Escanaba’s Derek Chaillier battle to gain possession of the puck during the first period on Thursday at Lakeview Arena in Marquette. (Journal photo by Matt Keiser)

Reputed to be explosive on offense, the Eskymos proved it by scoring on their first two shots on net and four times on their initial six attempts.

"When (the Eskymos) got the opportunity to score, they buried it," MSHS coach Mike L'Huillier said. "They just had too much skill and were faster than us."

Sophomore Levi Wunder scored twice in the opening period - once on the power play - and wound up with a hat trick and an assist for Esky. The former Marquette Electricians Midget AAA icer ran his season goal total to 51.

The Redmen had some good chances to score - particularly Justin Cain in the first period, McKinley Larson with a shot off the post in the second and Scott Frazier in the third, but couldn't beat LeMire.

"I thought if we had scored to make it 2-1 or even 3-1, we would have gained some momentum," L'Huillier said. "But their entire team played three solid periods.

"We have a lot of young, new players, but the team came a long way. We had a lot of adversity, but the kids played hard.